The Road to Freedom--The Last Drive

 

**The Last Drive**

She knew it was risky, but she couldn't resist. She had always loved driving, ever since she was a teenager. The feeling of freedom, the thrill of speed, the joy of exploration. She had missed it so much, ever since the government banned all private vehicles and replaced them with self-driving pods.

She hated the pods. They were slow, boring, and controlled by a central system that monitored every move. They had no personality, no charm, no soul. They were just machines, designed to transport people from point A to point B, with no regard for the journey itself.

She wanted to feel alive again, to feel the wind in her hair, the sun on her face, the road under her wheels. She wanted to choose her own destination, to take her own path, to make her own memories.

That's why she had secretly kept her old car, a vintage convertible that she had inherited from her grandfather. He had taught her how to drive, how to maintain, how to love the car. He had told her stories of his adventures, of the places he had seen, of the people he had met. He had given her a passion for driving, a passion that she shared with no one else.

She had hidden the car in an abandoned warehouse, away from the prying eyes of the authorities. She had spent years restoring it, repairing it, polishing it. She had collected fuel, batteries, maps, and other supplies. She had waited for the perfect opportunity, the perfect moment, to take it for a spin.

That moment had finally arrived. It was a clear, sunny day, with no traffic or patrols in sight. She had hacked the pod's system, making it appear that she was at work, while she was actually at the warehouse. She had packed a bag, grabbed the keys, and jumped into the driver's seat.

She felt a surge of adrenaline as she turned the ignition, hearing the engine roar to life. She smiled as she put the car in gear, feeling the power and responsiveness of the machine. She laughed as she stepped on the gas, feeling the car accelerate and glide smoothly.

She drove out of the warehouse, onto the empty road, heading for the countryside. She felt a sense of liberation, of exhilaration, of wonder. She felt like she was living, not just existing.

She drove for hours, enjoying the scenery, the music, the silence. She drove past fields, forests, lakes, and mountains. She drove through small towns, villages, and farms. She drove without a plan, without a destination, without a care.

She drove until she saw the sunset, painting the sky with fiery colors. She drove until she reached the coast, where the ocean met the horizon. She drove until she found a spot, where she could park and watch the stars.

She got out of the car, leaving the engine running. She walked to the edge of the cliff, feeling the breeze and the spray. She looked at the sky, seeing the moon and the constellations. She looked at the car, seeing the reflection and the glow.

She smiled, feeling a mix of emotions. She felt happy, grateful, fulfilled. She felt sad, nostalgic, regretful. She felt alive, free, human.

She knew it was time. She knew it was the end. She knew they would find her. She knew they would take her. She knew they would destroy her. She knew they would destroy the car.

She didn't care. She had done what she wanted. She had lived her dream. She had made her choice.

She walked back to the car, feeling the warmth and the comfort. She got in the driver's seat, feeling the leather and the metal. She put the car in reverse, feeling the shift and the movement. She stepped on the gas, feeling the speed and the force.

She drove off the cliff, feeling the air and the fall. She closed her eyes, feeling the peace and the pain. She heard the crash, feeling the impact and the fire.

She died, feeling the love and the happiness.